Laundry machine



April 7, 1942. H. D. BROTMAN 2,278,824

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed July 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3nnentor I Patented Apr. 7, 19 42 UN lTED STATES PAT ENT. ICE.

, Application m 19, 1513213250, 34

, &"Claims.

This invention relates, in generaljto laundry machines and, in particular, to a new and improved variable speed transmission therefor.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved transmission of the variable speed type for a laundry machine which is automatically operable and wherein faults previously found with transmissions of a similar type have been obviated.

Another object is to provide for a laundry machine a new and improved variable speed transmission wherein the parts thereof are fewer in number and more efliciently arranged than heretofore so as to improve its compactness, minimize its cost of production and operation, facilitate its assembly and disassembly and maximize its efiiciency.

Another object is to improve the transmission of a variable speed type of laundry machine so that the automaticity of its operation is maximum and the continuity thereof requires a minimum amount of personal attention.

Specifically, an object herein is to provide a laundry machine with a new and improved variable speed transmission of the automatic type, wherein a motor is energized by the closing of a. switch which eflectuates the initiation of a change-over from one to the other of the two speeds at which said transmission is capable of being driven and the closing of a second switch, said closing of said second switch continuing the energization of said motor after the opening of said first switch so as to complete said change:

to saidco-pending application foraid in understanding the construction and operation of many of the elements shown, and employed in the presentapplication. So, with this in mind, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show a variable speed transmission for -a laundry machine confined within and supported by a casing l0, said transmission com,- prising, in part, a pairof shaftsv l2 and I4 rotatably supported in parallelism and in bearings provided therefor in saidcasing, said-shaft .l2 externally carrying at one-of its ends a pulley 16 by means of which said shaft l2-isrotated through the agency of any desirable, and well 1 known power source, and'said shaft externally over, and said completion of said change-over causing the opening'of said second switch prior to the re-closing of said first switch and a resulting time lapse of predetermined duration therebetween.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from a reference to the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which I there are two (2) sheets and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken transversely through the laundry machine transmission and showing the invention incorporated therein, said figure being shown partly in elevation;

Figs. 2 and 3 are sections taken along the lines 2-2 and 3-3, respectively, in Fig. 1 and are shown partly in elevation; and

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram for the apparatus and is shown in conjunction with a part of the latter which is represented principally in dotted lines.

Since the herein invention is an improvement of the apparatus incorporated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 260,013, filed March 6,

1939, now United States Patent No. 2,253,842,

dated Aug. 26, 1941 and entitled Laundry machine," much of the description herein will not be detailed because reference may easily be had carrying at one of its endsa clothes container (not shown) for'rotation thereofby and with said shaft l4. Internally of the. casing I0, shaft 12 carries thereon for rotation therewith a pair of axially spaced pinions I8 and 20, whereas shaft it freely carries thereon a pair of axially spaced gears 22 and 24, said gear 22. being in constant driven mesh with said pinion l8- and said gear 24 being in constant driven mesh with said pinion 20. The relationship between the 7 diametersof thepinion l8 and. the gear 22 is such that there is, preferably, a 1:l drive therebetween, and the relationship between the diameters of the pinion 20 and the gear 24,15 such that there is, preferably, a1:6 drive therebetween, it being understood that said -1:1 drive is employed for and during the drying phase of the clothes-cleaning cycle and that said 1:6 drive is employed for and during the washing phase ofsaid cycle l The shaft H, which isthe driven shaft of the transmission and which carries the aforementioned. but undisclosed clothescontainer, is axially splined along a portion ofits length, as at 26, for receiving thereon aclutch member 28 ,which is axially movable therealong and rotatfinger 30 which is pivotally connected at its op Iii) posite end to an annular yoke 3l'also carried on thespline 26 for rotation therewith but for non-axial movement 'therealongr. Also .carried on the spline 26 for rotation therewith-and axial movement therealongis an annular plate 32. "As will bereadily understood from areference to my aforementioned co-pending applicatiomaxial movement of the plate 32 in a left-hand direction, as'viewed .in'Fig. 1 of the present application, tends to interengage the various discs of a multi-disc friction clutch,-generally' indicated at 34 and of well known constructiomthe alternate discs of which are, as usual-,connected at their outer peripheries to an annular portion of the gear 22 for rotation therewith and axial movement relatively thereto, and'the intermediate discs of which are, as .usual, connected at their inner peripheries to the spline 26 for ro tation therewith and axial movement relatively thereto, and set up a frictional driving connection between said gear, which is constantly rotating, and the driven shaft l4, of which said spline is an integral part. It will be seen that the pivoted end of the finger is formed with a cam 36 which acts upon the plate 32, when the clutch member 28 is moved to the left against the free end of said finger, and establishes a desirable and effective clutching action between the various discs of the clutch 34. On the other hand, the opposite side of the clutch member 28 is formed with the driven half of a jaw clutch, generally indicated at 38, the driving half of said jaw clutch being formed on the adjacent end of an annular, cup-shaped plate 40 which is associated at its opposite end with the gear 24 by means of a play connection therebetween, there being a spring 42 positioned between said clutch member and said plate for opposing engagement of said jaw clutch and urging engage- LSince my aforement of the friction clutch 34. mentioned co-pending application gives a detailed description of the above mentioned play connection between the gear 24 and the plate 40, it seems only necessary to mention herein that said connection is established by means of a series of annularly spaced pins 44 fixedly carried by said gear, a second series of annularly spaced pins 46 fixedly carried by said plate and received in slotted openings 48 provided therefor in said gear, and a series of springs 58 interconnecting said pins 44 and 46, this arrangement obviously minimizing the shock created upon interengagement of the sections of the jaw clutch 38.

The clutch member 28 is formed about its periphery with an annular groove 52 in which is received a pair of diametrically opposite pins 54 each of which is carried by the lower end of one of a pair of arms 56 comprising a driving yoke or actuator, generally indicated at 58, for said clutch member. Whereas the lower ends of the arms 56 are spaced and carry the pins 54 for reception in the groove 52 of the clutch member 28, the upper ends thereof are made integral with each other, said arms between said lower ends and said upper ends carrying a pin the ends of which are journalled in opposite walls of the casing l0, whereby the yoke or actuator 58 is pivotally movable about the axis thereof.

The lower, pin-carrying ends of the actuator 58 are unitarily driven about the axis of the pin 60 through the agency of a roller or cam follower 62 carried on a pin 64 supported by and between the upper ends of the arms 56 and which follower is coopera-ble with a circular cam or plate 66 eccentrically mounted on a shaft 68 for rotation about an axis which is parallel with the axes of the pins 60 and 64. Shaft 68 is supported at its ends by opposite walls of the casing i0 and, in addition to carrying the eccentric 66, also carries a gear Ill which is rotatable with Looking particularly at Fig. 1, wherein the elements of the transmission are shown in positlon for driving.the shaft l4 at the faster of its two speeds, it will be noted that the low part of the eccentric 66 is most adjacent the roller 62 and that, furthermore, the peripheral surface of said low part is transversely recessed, such as at 84. This recess is for the purpose of allowing the actuator 58 to move clockwise slightly beyond normal, limit position, such as when the shaft 14 is being driven at the faster of its two speeds and the discs of the friction clutch 34 have lost some of their resiliency and the spring 42 becomes over-active as a result thereof. The high part of the eccentric 66 is clearly operable, when in a position spaced 18" from that shown in Fig. 1, for moving the actuator 58 in opposition to the spring 42 countar-clockwise about the axis of the pin 60 to cause disengagement of the friction clutch 34, engagement of the jaw clutch 38 and a driving of the shaft M at the same speed as that of the gear 24, namely, at the slower of the two speeds at which said shaft is capable of being driven.

The change-over from one speed to the other, with respect to the shaft I4, is to be performed automatically, and, to this end, there is provided a switch actuator 86 which is reciprocably carried by the casing l0 opposite one of the said eccentric and in constant driven mesh with 4 a pinion I2 mounted on a shaft 14 for rotation about an axis parallel with the axis of said shaft 68. Shaft 74 is supported by the casing l0 and, in addition to carrying the pinion 12, also carries a worm gear 16 which is rotatable with said pinion and in constant driven mesh with a worm 78 formed on or carried by the drive shaft 80 of an electric motor 82 mounted on said casing. For the purpose of minimizing the speed of rotation of the shaft 68, it will be noted that the ratio of the diameters of the gear 10 and the pinion 12 is well above unity.

faces of the eccentric 66 supported therewithin. In this face of the eccentric 66 is formed a pair of detents 88 which are annularly spaced from each other, preferably a distance of approximately 180, and operable for receiving the inner end of the actuator 86 at, as will soon be understood, predetermined intervals. It is to be noted in Figs. 1 and 3 that the detents 88 are diametrically aligned with the recess 84, and the reason for this will also soon be understood. The

detents 88 provide the only two points in the 360 of eccentric surface whereat the actuator 86 may and does assume its innermost position with respect to the casing i6. Whereas the inner end of the actuator 86 is in constant engagement with the eccentric 66, either in or between the detents 88, the outer end thereof is in contant, insulated engagement with an element 90 of an electrical switch having another element 92. Switch 90-92 is supported on the casing l8 and properly insulated therefrom, it being noted in Fig. 3 that said switch is closed when the actuator 86 is riding the surface of the eccentric 66 between the detents 88 and that said switch is open when said actuator is in either of said detents. In other words, the switch 9092 is closed continuously except for the length of time that its actuator 88 is in the detents 88 therefor, and this momentary opening of said switch occurs twice during each revolution of the eccentric 66.

Referring to Fig. 4. it will be noted that the switch element 98 and one of. the terminals of the motor 82 are electrically interconnected by means of a lead 94, that the switch element 82 and one side of a power source 96 are electrically interconnected by means of a lead 98, and that the other terminal of said motor and the other side of said power source are elecirically interconnected by means of a lead I00. In other words, the switch 90-432, which is controlled by the rotation of the eccentric 66, and the motor 82, which controls said rotation of said eccentric, said eccentric in turn controlling the rotation of the shaft l4, are connected in series with the power source 96. Normally, then,

the motor 62 could not operate unless the switch 90-92 were closed. but this, as will soon appear, is not the case.

A timing device, generally indicated at I02 and of well known construction and design, has its timer element I04 electrically connected across the power source 96 by means of leads I06 and I08, whereby said element is, as usual, rotated continuously and at a uniform speed, and which rotation is independent of the controlled rotation of the motor 82. For the purpose of illustration, element I04 is shown with two annularly spaced high points H and H2, and arranged for being engaged by said high points is one element H4 of an electrical switch havin another element H6. Switch element H4 is connected to the lead 94, between the switch 90-92 and the motor 82, by means of a lead H8, and

switch element H6 is connected to the lead 98,

between said switch 90-92 and the timing device I02, by means of a lead I20. In other words, when the switch H4-l I6 is closed (which occurs exclusively upon interengagement of the element H4 and either of the high points H0 or H2), the motor 82 is energized by the source 96 even though the switch 90-92 is then open, because the circuit will be: 96-98I20- I I6-I I4I I8-94- -82-'-I00-96, 96-9992909482-I 00-96.

As seen in Fig. 4, the switch H4--I I6 is open because, though the high point H0 of the con stantly rotating timer element I04 is approaching the switchelement H4, said point is, nevertheless, spaced therefrom;

one of the detents B8 in the eccentric 66; the motor 82 is idle because both of said switches are, as has been said, open, thereby causing said eccentric to be idle also; and, thedrlven shaft I4 of the transmission is rotating at the faster of its two speeds because the, low part of the then stationary eccentric is immediately adjacent the follower 62 on the actuator 58, thereby allowing the spring 42 to maintain engagement of the friction clutch 34.

When the high point H0 reaches the element H4, the switch H4-II6 will close, permitting current to flow therethrough for rotating the motor 82. Though the switch II4-I I6 will'be closed for only that short length of time required for-the high point H0 to pass beyond the element H4, the consequent initiation of the rotation of the motor 82 will initiate the rotation of the eccentric 66. Of course, as soon as the eccentric 66 begins to rotate, the switch 9092 will close, thereby permitting current to flow therethrough to the motor 82 until said eccentric has travelled 180 from the position thereof shown in Fig. 4 and the actuator 86 has lodged itself in the other detent 88. 'This half-revolution ofthe eccentric 66 effectuates movement of the actuator 58 in a counter-clockwise direction against the pressure of the spring 42, whereby, upon its completion, the friction clutch 3% will be disengaged, the jaw clutch 36 will be engaged and the shaft M will be rotated at the lower of its two speeds. Naturally, the motor 82 ceases to rotate upon the arrival of the rather than:

element H4, the switch the switch 90-92 is I also open because the actuator 86 is residing in 1 high part of the eccentric 66 at the follower 62,

and said high part does not leave said follower until the high point H2 on the timer element I04 reaches the switch element H4. In short, the arrival of the high point H0 on the continuously rotatable timer I04 in contacting position with the element H4 of the switch H4--H6 is the genesis inducing the initiation ofthe ,180" arcuate travel of the eccentric 66 from the position thereof shown in Figs. 3 and 4; and, this halfrevolution of said eccentric is what effectuates the shifting of the shifter 58 from the position corresponding to high spec tub shaft travel to the position correspondin to low speed tub shaft travel. Obviously, some time is absorbed in making the above mentioned shift from high to low speeds after high point H0 has closed switch I I4-I I6, and, in the interim, said switch has doubtlessly been re-opened while timer point H2 has gotten alittle closer to element H4 of said switch; nevertheless, the tub continues to rotate at its newlyacquired low speed at least until said point H2 has actually arrived into contacting position with said element H4.

When the high point H2 reaches the switch H4--I I6 closes and the motor 82 is caused to rotate.-'Rotation of the motor 82 moves the high part of the eccentric 60 away from the follower 62 as well as the then actuator-holding detent 68 away from the actuator 86, said movement of said high part permitting the spring 42 to return the clutch member 28 to the position thereof shown in Fig.

l, and said movement of said detent causing the closing of the switch -92. Switch 90-92 remains closed until the low part of the eccentric 66 returns to the position thereof shown in Fig. 1, and said low part remains in said position until the high point H0 on the timer element I04 returns into engagement with the switch element H4. In short, the arrival of the high point H2 on the continuously rotatable timer I04 in contacting position with the element H4 of the I switch I4--I I6 is the genesis inducing the initiation of the arcuate travel of the eccentric 66 from the position acquired or established in the next preceding paragraph back to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4; and, this halfrevolution of said eccentric is what effectuates the shifting of the shifter 58 from the position corresponding to low speed tub shaft travel to the position corresponding to high speed tub shaft travel (the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4) Obviously, some time is absorbed in making the above mentioned shift from low to high speeds after high point H2 has closed switch II4-II6 and, in the interim, said switch has doubtlessly been re-opened while timer point H0 has gotten a little closer to element H4 of said switch; nevertheless, the tub continues to rotate at its newly acquired high speed at least until said point H0 has actually arrived into contacting position with said element H4.

Although the invention has been described with some detail it is not intended that such description is to be definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a multi-speed laundry machine, an electrio motor having a drive shaft driven thereby, a switch in circuit with said motor for controlling the latter, a clutch shifter movable between a pair cf extreme positions therefor and normally biased toward one there'offand' means rotatably driven by said shaft and havinga pair of cam surfaces one of which is in driving engage positions and thence back into said last mentioned one position and the other of which is operatively connected to said switch for opening the latter each time said shifter attains one of said positions.

2. In a multi-speed laundry machine, an electric motor having a drive shaft for being driven thereby, a switch in circuit with said motor and operable at predetermined intervals for energizing and fie-energizing same, a second switch in parallel with said first switch, a clutch shifter movable in opposite directions between a pair of extreme positions therefor and normally biased toward one thereof, and means rotatably driven by said shaft and having a pair of cam surfaces one of which is in driving engagement with said shifter for effectuating during a single revolution thereof complete movements of said shifter in both of said directions and the other of which is operatively connected to said second switch for opening said circuit each time said shifter attains one of said positions and for maintaining said circuit in closed condition during travel of said shifter between said positions.

3. In a multi-speed laundry machine, an electric motor having a drive shaft driven'thereby, a switch in circuit with said motor for controlling the latter, a clutch shifter movable between a pair of extreme positions therefor and normally biased toward one thereof, and means rotatably driven responsive to uni-directional rotation of said shaft and having a pair of cam surfaces one of which is in driving engagement with said' shifter for eifectuating during said uni-directional rotation of said shaft and a single revolution of said one surface movement of said shifter from one of said positions into the other of said positions and thence back into said last mentioned one position and the other of which is operatively connected to said switch for opening the latter each time said shifter attains one of said positions.

4. In a multi-speed laundry machine, an electric motor having a drive shaft for being driven thereby, a switch in circuit with said motor and operable at predetermined intervals for energizing and de-energizing same, a second switch in parallel with said first switch, a clutch shifter movable in opposite directions between a pair of extreme positions therefor and normally biased toward one thereof, and mean rotatably driven responsive to uni-directional rotation of said shaft and having a pair of cam surfaces one of which is in driving engagement with said shifter for effectuating during said uni-directional rotation of said shaft and a single revolution of said one surface complete movements of said shifter in both of said directions and the other of which is operatively connected to said second switch for opening said circuit each time said shifter attains one of said positions and for maintaining said circuit in closed condition during travel of said shifter between said positions.

5. In a multi-speed laundry machine, an electric motor having a drive shaft for being driven thereby, aswitch in circuit with said motor and operable at predetermined intervals for energizing and de-energizing same, a second switch in parallel with said first switch, a clutch shifter movable in opposite directions between a pair of extreme positions therefor and normally biased toward one thereof, a cam rotatably driven about an axis by said shaft and having high and low surfaces in driving engagement with said shifter and operable during a single revolution of said site direction cam for eifectuating a complete movement of said shifter in one direction between said positions and a complete movement of said shifter in the opposite direction between said positions, and means operatively connected to said second switch and movable with said cam for effectuating the opening of said second switch each time said shifter attains one of said positions.

6. In a multi-speed laundry machine, an electric motor having a drive shaft for being driven thereby, a switch in circuit with said motor and operable at predetermined intervals for energizing and de-energizing same, a second switch in parallel with said first switch, a clutch shifter movable in opposite directions between a pair of extreme positions therefor and normally biased toward one thereof, a cam rotatably driven about an axis by said shaft and having high and low surfaces in driving engagement with said shifter and operable under the influence of uni-directional rotation of said shaft and during a single revolution of said cam for effectuating a complete movement of said shifter in one direction between said position and a complete movement of said shifter in the opposite direction between said positions, and means operatively connected to said second switch and movable with said cam for effectuating the opening of said second switch each time said shifter attains one of said positions.

7. In a multi-speed laundry machine, an electric motor having a drive shaft for being driven thereby, a switch in circuit with said motor and operable at predetermined intervals for energizing and de-energizing same, a second switch in parallel with said first switch, a clutch shifter movable in opposite directions between a pair of extreme positions therefor and normally biased toward one thereof, a cam rotatably driven about an axis by said shaft and having high and low surfaces in driving engagement with said shifter and spaced diametrically apart so as to be operable during a single revolution of said cam for eifectuating a complete movement of said shifter in one direction between said positions and a complete movement of said shifter in the oppobetween said positions, and means operatively connected to said second switchand movable with said cam for effectuating the opening of said second switch each time said shifter attains one of said positions.

8. In a multi-speed laundry machine, an electric motor having a drive shaft for being driven thereby, a switch in circuit with said motor and operable at predetermined intervals for energizing and de-energizing same, a second switch in parallel with said first switch, a clutch shifter movable in opposite directions between a pair of extreme positions therefor and normally biased toward one thereof, -a cam rotatably driven about an axis by said shaft and having high and low surfaces in driving engagement with saidshifter and spaced diametrically apart so as to' be operable during a single revolution of said cam for eifectuating a complete movement of said shifter in one direction between said positions and a complete movement of said shifter in the opposite direction between said positions, and diametrically spaced means operatively connected to said second switch and movable with said cam for effectuating the opening of said sec- HYMAN D. BROTMAN. 

